Schools Focus on Academia, Not Trades

PRESS RELEASE: VOCATIONAL PATHWAYS , supporting
young people to get qualifications they
need

SCHOOLS FOCUS ON ACADEMIA, NOT
TRADESTaranaki
FuturesMay 2014

A Taranaki
educationalist believes schools need to do better for their
non-university bound students.

The Coordinator of Taranaki
Futures, Warwick Foy, says secondary schools must provide
equitable opportunities for a wider range of students than
they do at present.

“We structure our schooling around
academic kids yet only about 29 percent of them go on to
university,” he says. “And then too many of them
complete varsity with a hangover, a $40,000 debt and a
non-vocational degree.”

“They’re leaving school and
going to university for the experience, not the
qualification.”

Warwick Foy has long believed that
schools “aren’t good enough in providing information
about trades related courses and employment opportunities in
the community.”

“I am not being
critical of schools or careers teachers. I am being critical
of the system. I also recognise the schools that are doing
good work to correct this. The schools involved in Taranaki
Futures are examples of this.”

He’s therefore welcomed
the Ministry of Education’s Trades Academy structure and
Vocational Pathways Programme so much so that, as a senior
teacher at Inglewood High, he’s been seconded to Taranaki
Futures to establish the Skills Squad Trades Academy in the
region.

Arthur Graves, General Manager Youth Guarantee
oversees the Vocational Pathways programme says, “New
Zealand has to improve the rate of NCEA Level 2 achievement,
the minimum qualification a young person needs to get to be
ready for a better future. To get employment you need to get
a solid education, achieving at least a minimum
qualification, or more.

According to Arthur, “NZ has
poor retention rates of 15-19 year olds remaining in
education to get qualifications and skills that will benefit
them and not enough young people progressing to Level 4 or
above, on the New Zealand qualifications
framework.”

“Learning in a Trades Academy gives
students real life skills and qualifications and using the
Vocational Pathways young people can choose their study
options and see how it relates to future job or career
options. Students can get relevant qualifications and a
Vocational Pathway which will set them up for their next
steps, whether it’s into tertiary study, industry training
or employment.”The 2014 project for Skills Squad at
Taranaki Futures, is called Build a Bach. It’s a
collaboration between secondary schools, industry and the
Trades Academy at the local polytechnic, Western Institute
of Technology (WITT).

The project, which has attracted 19
students from five partner schools, requires them to work
with an architect to design a bach and then, in the second
and third terms, build it to industry standards.

“We
intend the bach to be completed by the end of the year and
then sold to kick start next year’s project,” Warwick
says. “In doing so students will get tutoring and
supervision, hands-on experience, and a passion to take up a
trade.”

At the moment the students attend Skills Squad
one day a week but, from next term, they’ll be fully
engaged building the bach before returning to school for the
final term with credits towards their NCEA Level 1 and
2.

“We have a structure where a tutor provides the
hands-on and a coordinator, the pastoral care. Students come
with issues and we’re careful to treat them as adults and
avoid a punitive response,” Warwick says.

Next year is
looking bright with more Taranaki schools interested. Using
the Vocational Pathways, the Trades Academy can create a
wider range of programmes to provide the practical learning
opportunities.

One year 12 student who’s enjoyed the
hands-on experience is 16 year old Dylan Green from
Inglewood High.

“I sort of drift in the classroom.
It’s hard to focus at times,” Dylan says. “But I’m
good with my hands and I like seeing things develop from
scratch.”

He spoke to Warwick Foy when he was still
teaching at Inglewood High and Warwick suggested he should
try the Build a Bach project.

Dylan contributed some ideas
towards the layout of the kitchen but, when building begins,
he wants to construct the walls. “I enjoy putting pieces
of wood in place,” he explains.

He has responded
favourably to the Skills Squad environment. “They treat
you like adults and let us give our opinion. We’re not
talked down to,” Dylan says.

The programme has also
shaped Dylan’s future and he’s keen to return next year.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do but this has
opened doors for me to get a job. It’s been life
changing.”

He may be building a bach this year but in
10 years’ time his horizon will be significantly bigger.
“I want to construct a warehouse,” he says.

The Ministry of Education is holding regional workshops
on the Youth Guarantee focused on raising achievement,
retention and transitions of young people across secondary
schools and tertiary providers. The workshops will discuss
initiatives to raise student achievement and develop
relevant learning opportunities for students; connecting
school, tertiary and future employment. For dates and
registrations visit www.youthguarantee.net.nz/home-/workshop-calendar/

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